What happens when your child insists on touching everything? As a parent, it can be frustrating and bewildering until you understand why your child needs to touch every. single. little. thing.
Today on Voices of SPD we are joined by Johanna of Jojo’s Blog, who admits she gets frustrated when her daughter needs to touch everything in sight.
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Just Stop Touching Everything!
Just Stop Touching Everything. This is what I used to say to my daughter anytime we were in a store, at church, or anywhere else. She always had to be touching something. She would get warnings and then consequences because she just wouldn’t stop touching.
In my mind, she was just disobeying me. Come to find out, in her mind, she NEEDED to touch everything. She CRAVED touching everything. This is how it is for my six year old sensory seeker.
Until about two months ago, I was not aware that touching things was what she needed…I believed it was just what she wanted. Now that I have a better understanding of what she NEEDS, I am able to help her instead of get upset or force her to stop doing something her body needs.
Two months ago I was told my daughter has sensory processing disorder. Going into the evaluation I already knew in my heart this was the case, but it was such a relief to have someone confirm it, as well as come up with a plan for her.
We have done OT for about two months now and my daughter still touches things…A LOT. It has gotten better, but there are times that she has not gotten enough sensory input in other ways, she will seek it out. She rocks, chews, touches, and does many other things to seek out the sensory input her body craves.
I am still learning and trying to understand everything, but I have realized it is all about perspective. Yes, she still touches things, but now I understand why. Things are much better when you have the right perspective. Knowing my daughter has sensory processing disorder changed my perspective.
More Recommended Reading
- Nerves that sense touch may play role in autism
- My Favorite Time of the Day With My Autistic Son
- How Did I Know My Daughter Was Autistic?
For further reading about Sensory Processing Disorder:
The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Differences
Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing IssuesUnderstanding Your Child’s Sensory Signals: A Practical Daily Use Handbook for Parents and TeachersHelping Your Child with Sensory Regulation: Skills to Manage the Emotional and Behavioral Components of Your Child’s Sensory Processing Challenges
This post originally appeared on Jojo’s Blog. You can read more from Jojo there.
If you’d like to become a part of Voices of SPD on The Sensory Spectrum, please read about how to join Voices of SPD.
just came across this…i was irritated as well…WHY IS THIS A DISORDER…i am 52 and thoroughly enjoy touching any or all items i find interest in…I agree this is a bullshit lable of disorders
Are you serious? How ridiculous for you to make assumptions devoid of facts to support your bullshit. Have you done any research on sensory processing disorder? Do you think there’s no difference between a normal “I wonder how this feels?” to “I have an excessive need for sensory seeking that involves touching everything I see in the store even when I don’t want to, among other things?” Do you think a normal “I’m awkward around people” means the same thing when spoken by both a neurotypical and a neurodivergent like an autistic? The problem with people like you is that you can’t distinguish between normal and abnormal disorder and non-disorder. I’m guessing there’s also no such thing as an alcoholic because every one likes a drink once in a while, right? Let’s do away with AA meetings and let people live how they want. Idiot.
I had a daycare child evaluated for this process, it was more for where is body is doing….he was touchy but also using his body being pushy or walking into something….parents need to have their child evaluated to make sure before labeling …..